Chapter 111: The Strange Palace of Rain
Listening to the rules of the Great Rain Palace, it all seemed somewhat strange. Those who were captured could go wherever they wished, yet they couldn’t leave freely—only the girls could come and go at will.
“So, isn’t the Great Rain Palace filled with men everywhere?” Gu Yi pondered.
“Quite the opposite,” the Eighteenth Pavilion Master explained. “Although I believe the Mo clan women’s love and hate are somewhat extreme, the Palace Lord remains steadfast. Thus, the palace imposes harsh demands on men; men can do nothing here. But if you’re a woman, not only are you safe here, but you can leave anytime you want. So, in fact, there are more women inside.”
It made sense, but that meant men had it even harder here.
Gu Yi glanced at Shu Le with a suggestive look. “Just say it straight, I understand you. These days, understanding is everything.”
“What are you talking about?” Shu Le calmed her heart, no longer worried, and bowed respectfully to the silver-haired elder. “Shu Le thanks the Eighteenth Pavilion Master for sharing this matter. I dare not fully express my gratitude for saving my life. Seeing the Pavilion Master safe and sound fills me with joy. When I return to the Kingdom of Xu, I will surely convey this good news.”
“It’s nothing. It’s just hard on this child, having to stay here with an old man like me. Do you have family outside?”
Clang!
Those words struck Gu Yi hard, making him bend at the waist as if a mountain pressed on his back. “Whether I have family or not is not the point—do they have embroidered perch fish here?”
He had just found a five-star chef!
“Embroidered perch fish? That’s something new from Luyang?” The Eighteenth Pavilion Master stroked his beard with a dry laugh. “Haha, then you won’t be able to eat it.”
Gu Yi: Hahaha???
“Is there really no way to leave?”
“There’s only the way I mentioned. You must tell the Palace Lord you want to leave. She will take off her mask. If your will is strong enough, you can leave.”
But if you fail to remain resolute, she will kill you without hesitation.
It was a gamble with one’s life!
Gu Yi thought, what kind of ridiculous rule was this? “Has anyone ever succeeded before?”
“Yes.” The Eighteenth Pavilion Master finally gave a positive signal. “In my twenty years here, I have seen two people successfully escape to the heavens, but both were rather strange.”
Shu Le asked, “Strange in what way?”
“I can’t say exactly, but although they were men, they seemed more like women.”
Gu Yi’s smile instantly froze, his mouth twitching involuntarily. From a probabilistic perspective, it was possible—they had survived by that means.
Shu Le looked at Gu Yi with concern. Knowing him as she did...
“Gu Yi, I think you might as well stay here and keep the Eighteenth Pavilion Master company.”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master beamed proudly as he stroked his beard again. “Not bad, not bad at all.”
The old man was clearly pleased.
“The Eighteenth Pavilion Master is a rare genius. Were it not for my concerns about the battle at Desheng Pass, I’d be tempted to stay. Besides, the scenery here isn’t bad.”
Gu Yi was dumbfounded. “Are you speaking human language? What scenery? No matter how good the scenery, seeing it every day will make you sick of it!”
In his past life, he had sailed on the ocean, and the scenery was beautiful—but everyone knows that when everything repeats day after day, it’s truly painful!
“Scenery is secondary. If you can leave, leave as soon as possible,” said the Eighteenth Pavilion Master. “Though the Great Rain Palace is dangerous and the Palace Lord dislikes mundane matters, since you two are in enemy territory, the others under the Palace Lord will trouble you.”
One could leave, the other couldn’t. Gu Yi and Shu Le’s minds were filled with complex thoughts.
What a mess.
“You go, you go,” Gu Yi said, unwilling to force anyone to stay. “Go see Desheng Pass.”
Shu Le seemed to have been waiting for those words. “Gu Yi, I knew it—you’re a good person.”
Ah, finally, you admit I’m good.
Now she was happy, and the Eighteenth Pavilion Master seemed pleased as well.
Who wouldn’t be happy?
Who wanted to spend their life with this decrepit old man? To cultivate and ascend, why would he need a genius like the Eighteenth Pavilion Master?
“Really can’t leave?” Gu Yi asked once more.
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master shook his head again. “No.”
“What if you could defeat the Palace Lord?”
“Baici is a follower of the Saint of Arts. Setting aside whether one could beat her, even if they did, this landscape painting scroll is an ancient treasure left by some sage from a bygone era. Even I have no solution. You are probably young and unaware that cultivation systems here have been overall weakened.”
Gu Yi’s eyes flickered. So he knew too?
Shu Le’s joyful expression faltered. “Eighteenth Pavilion Master, may I ask... what does ‘overall weakened’ mean?”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master did not mind the questions from his juniors. He raised a finger, faintly emanating spiritual energy. The peach blossom branches swayed in the wind, releasing tiny bits of spiritual energy.
Gu Yi was stunned.
Shu Le was stunned as well.
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master said, “I entered the Heavenly Way and have spent twenty years here pondering this question: since I have entered the Heavenly Way, why cannot the spiritual energy of heaven and earth be used by me? My Way of Unity differs greatly from that recorded in ancient texts. The cultivation methods of Luyang Academy and the Great Rain Palace have significant disparities.”
“Logically, cultivators in the two nations shouldn’t differ much, so the only explanation is human interference. Therefore, I deduced that the cultivation system of this world has been overall weakened.”
Shu Le was shocked. “Isn’t that exactly how you gather spiritual energy, Gu Yi?”
“You know how?” The Eighteenth Pavilion Master was utterly surprised. “So you’ve studied this deeply?”
Gu Yi: “...”
“By coincidence, I discovered that besides our original bodies, the outside spiritual energy can also be used.”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master’s gaze changed as he looked at Gu Yi. “Truly a hero emerges in youth. I spent twenty years in quiet contemplation to comprehend the Way here, never expecting a young man to know it by birth!”
Hearing this praise from the Eighteenth Pavilion Master, Shu Le’s heart was filled with awe. In her mind, Gu Yi was indeed a genius, but such high praise was unexpected.
Gu Yi actually thought the Eighteenth Pavilion Master was more impressive—because he knew someone had given him clues, but the Master himself spent twenty years figuring it out!
That was truly remarkable.
---
“Senior, what else did you discover?”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master stood and paced slowly in the pavilion. “Around this spring, I attempted to break through the Saint of Arts realm and enter the mortal world. The breakthrough initially went well; the heavens showed signs, as if success was imminent.”
“However, just minutes later, it failed quickly. I’ve never understood the key reason.”
Heavenly signs?
Gu Yi suddenly recalled back when he was still in Quanmen County, with Ma Yuan and the little fox Zhuhua, the sky suddenly darkened with black clouds covering the heavens.
At that moment, he knew someone in the north was attempting to break through the Saint of Arts.
“So you were the one trying to break through the Saint of Arts!” Gu Yi and Shu Le spoke simultaneously. Shu Le added, “Eighteenth Pavilion Master, His Majesty and Luyang Academy have long feared that Liguo might have a Saint of Arts cultivator. We’ve been cautious all these years, never expecting...”
“That can’t be said,” the Master interrupted. “Baici is also a Saint of Arts.”
That wasn’t important—one on each side.
Wow.
Gu Yi suddenly felt this man was truly powerful. “So for twenty years, nothing has happened to you in the Great Rain Palace?”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master said proudly, “Yes. No matter who becomes pavilion master, none can defeat me. Gu Yi, you will be safe here too, and this young lady can leave without worry.”
Gu Yi thought to himself: you’ve solved all her worries.
“Thank you, Eighteenth Pavilion Master!” Though Gu Yi’s life was saved, Shu Le’s gratitude was even deeper. Since hearing this name, she had held it in great respect. Despite being captured by the Great Rain Palace, all doubt vanished now.
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master was still the strongest pavilion master in history.
The very first to be appointed upon entering the Academy.
“Gu Yi, you should thank the Eighteenth Pavilion Master properly.”
Gu Yi felt no other emotion but admiration for this silver-haired middle-aged man filled with immortal aura.
“It’s nothing. Looks like you and I are to remain here together for life. Whether you thank me or not is just a formality, unimportant.”
Hearing this, Gu Yi’s brief excitement vanished. To spend a lifetime with a decrepit old man?
Damn!
“Eighteenth Pavilion Master,” Shu Le grew bolder, “I have one more question.”
“Speak.”
“There are many legends about you in the Academy, the most mysterious being your encounter on a snowy night.”
That question was somewhat excessive.
If it could be discussed, the Seventeenth Pavilion Master would surely know by now.
Clearly, it could not be spoken of.
Gu Yi waited silently, not daring to ask first, letting Shu Le pose the question.
If he angered the Master, Shu Le could leave, but he would be in trouble.
What if a pavilion master of the Great Rain Palace returned, strong enough to reach Unity? If they targeted Gu Yi and the indifferent Palace Lord cared nothing, what could he do?
A gentle smile crossed the elder’s face as the mountain breeze stirred his long silver hair. “That question concerns a promise I made. I cannot reveal it to you. I believe cultivation depends on 'one’s true heart.' You need not always wonder how I act. You are not me; even knowing wouldn’t help.”
This self-centered philosophy somewhat resembled that of Xiaoyuanshan.
“Shu Le, I apologize.”
“No matter. I know many from Luyang Academy are curious about this. Any other questions?”
“No more. When I return home, I will report to His Majesty that the Eighteenth Pavilion Master lives. If we win at Liguo, I will ask the Great Rain Palace Lord to release you.”
“And me,” Gu Yi added quietly.
To her words, the Eighteenth Pavilion Master only smiled. “I will send you to meet Baici. She won’t kill you, but I can’t guarantee others in the palace will spare you. Be cautious on the way.”
Gu Yi was truly jealous. She could leave so easily? And he was to stay behind with this white-haired man?
Before leaving, Shu Le thought of Gu Yi. “You have great talent in cultivation. Don’t keep thinking about the Mo women’s beauty, or your life won’t be safe. I’d be heartbroken.”
The first half sounded teasing; the second half sounded almost kind.
“I understand,” Gu Yi unusually refrained from sarcasm.
“I worry for the Seventh Princess. If anything happens to her, I would die a hundred deaths and still not atone. I hope you won’t blame me for leaving you here.”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master interjected, “I’m here.”
What could you do?!
Gu Yi swallowed his tears and forced a smile. “Go with peace of mind. I’ll bear the pain.”
When Shu Le went to see the Great Rain Palace Lord, Gu Yi still doubted. Zhang Weiyu had said their lives were in peril—how could she leave so easily?
But the truth was, Shu Le left without difficulty.
“So where’s the danger? Why did Zhang Weiyu say our lives were at stake?” Gu Yi asked as he watched her silhouette fade from the painting scroll.
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master said, “Many who stayed behind actually died. Weiyu was right.”
“I should be different, right?”
Gu Yi meant no one dared trouble him.
But the Master meant something else.
“The Great Rain Palace is small. Today you feel it’s fine, but what about after three days? Seven days? Many lack confidence in their own resolve. They know Baici is as beautiful as a celestial or even surpasses one, but staying indoors is suffocating. Eventually, despite the danger, they insist on trying. And they think even if they are killed, it’s better than wasting time here.”
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master sat cross-legged on a round stone disc.
“What should we do now?”
“Nothing. The two pavilion masters aren’t here, you have returned to simplicity, and no one will trouble you. So there’s nothing to do.”
---
Gu Yi suddenly felt uneasy.
“So now...?”
“Forget now, forget time,” the Eighteenth Pavilion Master softly reminded. “Time means nothing to us.”
“Can I go find someone to talk to? Make friends? I know Shuyu, and we get along well.”
“That child is also Mo clan. Though Mo women hate fiercely, they are a charming and unique group. If you’re always with Shuyu, you’ll come to like her.”
The Master opened his eyes. “Almost forgot, Shuyu’s appearance is not to be seen. If you look, death will soon follow.”
Gu Yi wanted to cry. “Why is that?”
“It’s desire. When you met Baici, you covered your eyes. You should understand. Seeing only makes you want to see more.”
“So we just cultivate here? But you said even if we beat the Palace Lord, we still can’t leave.”
The Master closed his eyes. “All possible. You can cultivate, rest, eat, wander freely. The pavilion master is absent, no one can harm you. The Great Rain Palace is small—just one palace and four pavilions—nothing much to see.”
A breeze passed, and Gu Yi suddenly felt cold. He looked at the Master’s serene expression, unmoving.
No.
“I can’t stay trapped here forever!”
Though he had stayed at Xiaoyuanshan before, that was when he first transmigrated, had Xiaoyi, and was immersed in ‘leveling up.’
Besides, if he wanted to descend the mountain, he could anytime.
Now it was different. He couldn’t leave, and someone might kill him anytime!
Besides, at least Xiaoyi was more interesting than this Eighteenth Pavilion Master.
Most importantly, he knew cultivation here was flawed. The Master’s failure to break through the Saint of Arts only proved it.
So leveling up seemed pointless.
At most, he would become a Saint of Arts—but still couldn’t leave.
Thinking of the Plateau Tree Sea and what ‘Old Eel’ senior had left for him, Gu Yi felt more determined not to stay here. Maybe that held the secrets of this world.
Gu Yi walked outside the pavilion.
The Eighteenth Pavilion Master said nothing.
Gu Yi returned, his mind exploding. “Eighteenth, at least tell me about this place?”
The Master finally opened his eyes. “Alright. You should have noticed you can always see other places in the Great Rain Palace, near and far, quite mysterious. See the mountaintop to the upper left? That’s the main palace. To the right are the rivers, lakes, and four pavilions. Scattered buildings are where people like Shuyu live.”
It all appeared like a painting scroll before their eyes, as if they could touch it.
So that was the simple explanation?
Gu Yi was dumbfounded. “That’s it?”
“Yes, the Great Rain Palace is very small.”
Gu Yi: ((?(//?Д/?/)?))
No, wait—
He almost forgot something.
“Eighteenth, has anyone strange come into the palace?”
“Strange how?”
“Wearing tree bark around their waist.”
“Oh, you mean that boy from Two Peaks.”
Gu Yi’s heart jolted. What was it... what was it... the trace of Xie Yiyi!
His excitement was indescribable!
“Where is he?!” Gu Yi almost shouted.
“Two Peaks is plotting something with the Great Rain Palace,” the Master looked at Gu Yi meaningfully. “You’re from Luyang Academy. Why ask about a Two Peaks person? And you seem to have some connection with him?”
“I have important business with him. Please tell me where he is!”
“You all call me Eighteenth Pavilion Master, and I remember I’m from Luyang Academy, but I don’t know the answer to that.”
“You don’t know...” Gu Yi felt like crying. What kind of answer was that? “Honestly, if I weren’t weaker than you, I’d definitely fight you!”
The Master’s temper was good. “I hear that often.”
“He’s not in the Great Rain Palace?”
...
“I’ll ask Shuyu.”
...
The Master sighed. “He’s not here.”
Gu Yi stopped. At least he had been forewarned, though it was still frustrating.
“That means he came here too. So why could he leave?”
“Calm down and think. I said leaving depends on Baici’s will.”
Gu Yi’s heart moved. “He passed the test?”
“He didn’t need to. Baici had no reason to trap him.”
Ah, so it’s not a dead end.
It turns out it’s not necessary to pass Baici’s trial; if she’s willing to let you go, you can leave.
“Eighteenth, so Baici has reasons to keep you here?”
---